People with relapsing-remitting MS may benefit from a new drug, Kesimpta, compared to an older med, Aubagio A clinical trial found higher rates of 'no disease activity' among folks taking the newer treatment The benefit seem to occur regardless of patient race/ethnicity THURSDAY, July 18, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- A new monoclonal antibody treatment called (ofatumumab) appears to improve on an older drug in pushing multiple sclerosis (MS) into remission, a new trial shows. Funded by Kesimpta's maker, Novartis, the trial compared the new therapy against teriflunomide ( ), an immune-based drug that's been in use for about a decade. The trial was also diverse, involving close to 1,900 MS patients, of which 82% were white, 8% were Hispanic, 4% were Asian and 3% were Black patients.
That's important, said study lead author , of the Joi Life Wellness MS Center in Atlanta. Speaking in a news release from the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), she said that "ethnically diverse groups, including Black and African American, Hispanic and Latino, and Asian individuals, are consistently underrepresented in clinical trials, limiting the data available to help make the best treatment decisions for people in these groups." The new trial found that Kesimpta consistently beat Aubagio in sending MS into remission, regardless of patient race/ethnicity.
The trial involved people with relapsing-remitting MS. As the researchers explained, this is MS in its most common stage, characterized by flare.
